November - Department of Defence

letters to the editorTHE WAY TO RECOGNISE EACH OTHERAND ADAPT TO CHANGEI would like to highlight one of theissues that in our daily lives we oftenhear people talk about, namely culturaldiversity. In SA we have celebratedHeritage Day throughout the country,but you will be left with the question ofhow often people accept each other.How often do people adapt tochanges? What about UBUNTU?I believe that as Africans we differin our beliefs, ideologies and religion.Therefore let us not be ethnocentric.Let cultural diversity not be a barrier tosuccessful communication. I believe asa human being we have a tendency toassume that our own cultural valuesand belief systems are better than thoseof others. However, if we are open toothers, we can learn about other culturesand communicate much better.Misunderstanding between peopleof different cultural backgrounds canhave a major effect on relationships atworkplaces. However, if we could useour cultural differences positively tolearn about each other and to grow personallythrough our interactions withothers it would be great.Remember, change is an integralpart of our modern lives, so the betteryou are able to adapt to change the betteryou will cope with life and its variousdemands, as we are social ratherthan solitary beings. Brothers and sisters,we as Africans may sometimes beable to work in a state of denial for aWinning letterwhile, but at some stage you will feelthe impact of change and you need torespond to it personally. If you resist,circumstances will often become worseand you will start blaming others orcomplaining about change.I wrote this letter while I was deployedin the Sudan. At that time Inever thought that South Africa wouldexperience xenophobia related problems.We deployed with other Africanstates, and as a soldier I have neverexperience xenophobia in any otherAfrican county, which left me with aquestion, my brothers and sisters:when will we accept and live with eachother as Africans? Cpl S.E. Dlangama,2 SAI Bn6IT IS NOT ENOUGHIt is not enough for us the members of theDefence ForceTo talk about disciplineFor how long have we been talking aboutdiscipline?For how long have we been taking people onoffice orders?Yes for a long time, butAre you also disciplined?Practise what you preachYes, it is not enoughIt is not enough for us the members ofDefence ForceTo talk about, but not to abuseOur authority for any personal gain or useR200-00 prize for the best letterSA SOLDIER welcomes letters to the Editor. Short letters are more likely to be published,and all letters may be edited for reasons of style, accuracy or space limitations.Letters should preferably be typewritten and double-spaced. All letters mustinclude the writer's full name, address and home telephone number. The volume ofletters we receive makes individual acknowledgement impossible. Please sendyour letters to: The Editor, SA SOLDIER Letters, Private Bag X158, Pretoria, 0001.Letters may also be faxed to (012) 355-6399 or sent via email to sasoldier@mil.za.We would like to hear your comments or ideas, particularly about matters affectingmembers of the Department of Defence. Regrettably, anonymous letters cannot beanswered officially or published - Editor.S A S O L D I E R • NO VEMB ER 2 0 0 8But how much property of the SANDF dowe have for our own personal useSo when are you going to return them?Yes, it is not enoughIt is not enough for us the members ofDefence ForceTo talk about reporting allIllegal activitiesBut how many outstanding military or civiliancasesDo we have?Yes, it is not enough …Yes, it is not enough!Pte Maropeng PerzeviniahThobakgale, 13 PRO COYPROUD MENAND WOMENIN UNIFORMThis poem is dedicated to ourbrothers and sisters, fathers andmothers in uniform deployed inthe Sudan.As we walk proud in ourrainbow nationChanting the songs of peacemakingin ourUniform we are like the greatergiants ofAfrica contributing and taking part inUnit for we walk in the footstepsof ourFreedom fighters like Marcus Garvey,Malcom X, Nelson Mandela, MashelaAnd the words of wisdomby Bob MarleyAfrica unite walk proud men andWomen with your head faced up and aSmile of courage, disciplineand pride thatI am part of the solution but not theProblem. Dr Zwelithini Mbatha,Mafatsane